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Intel Core i7-4600U vs Intel Core i7-4960HQ

Intel Core i7-4600U

► remove from comparison Intel 4600U

The Intel Core i7-4600U is an ULV (ultra low voltage) dual-core processor for ultrabooks launched in Q3 2013. It is based on the Haswell architecture and is manufactured in 22nm. Due to Hyper-Threading, the two cores can handle up to four threads in parallel, leading to better utilization of the CPU. Each core offers a base speed of 2.1 GHz, but can dynamically increase clock rates with Turbo Boost up to 3.3 GHz for 1 active core (2.9 GHz for 2 cores).

Haswell is the successor to the Ivy Bridge architecture with improvements on both GPU and CPU performance. The CPUs are produced in 22nm and offer an optimized branch prediction as well as additional execution ports, improving the performance per clock by almost 10 percent. Furthermore, new features like AVX2 and FMA should increase the performance in future applications.

The performance of the Core i7-4600U is similar to the old and slightly higher clocked Core i7-3687U. However, when using new instruction sets such as AVX2, the performance can be significantly higher. Thus, the CPU has sufficient power for office and multimedia purposes as well as more demanding applications.

The integrated HD Graphics 4400 offers 20 Execution Units (EUs) clocked at 200 MHz up to 1100 MHz with Turbo Boost, making it somewhat faster than the HD Graphics 4000 at similar clock speeds. However, the HD 4400 is a bit slower than the HD 5000 found on other ULV models (e.g. i7-4650U).

The i7-4600U is rated at a TDP of 15 W including the graphics card, memory controller, VRMs and the integrated chipset. Therefore, the CPU is suited for small ultrabooks 11-inches or greater.

Intel Core i7-4960HQ

► remove from comparison Intel 4960HQ

The Intel Core i7-4960HQ is a high-end quad-core processor for laptops launched in Q3 2013. It is based on the Haswell architecture and manufactured in 22nm. Due to Hyperthreading, the four cores can handle up to eight threads in parallel, leading to better utilization of the CPU. Each core offers a base speed of 2.6 GHz, but can dynamically increase clock rates with Turbo Boost up to 3.6 GHz (for 4 active cores), 3.7 GHz (for 2 active cores) and 3.8 GHz (for 1 active core). Please note: These Turbo clocks are not confirmed yet. A noteworthy feature is the fast integrated graphics unit (GT3e) with eDRAM memory (128 MB, 77 mm², on-package, 102 GB/s).

Haswell is the successor to the Ivy Bridge architecture with improvements on both GPU and CPU performance. The CPUs are produced in 22nm and offer an optimized branch prediction as well as additional execution ports, improving the performance per clock by almost 10 percent. Furthermore, new features like AVX2 and FMA should increase the performance in future applications.

Since the turbo stages of the Core i7-4960HQ exactly match those of the i7-4900MQ, the performance should be very similar. Therefore, the CPU will match the Ivy Bridge based Core i7-3940XM and handle even the most demanding applications.

The integrated Iris Pro Graphics 5200 GPU offers 40 Execution Units (EUs) clocked at 200 - 1300 MHz (with Turbo Boost), making it significantly faster than the HD 4000 or HD 4600. The additional eDRAM memory further improves performance. As a result, the HD 5200 competes with dedicated mid-range graphics cards.

The i7-4960HQ is rated at a TDP of 47 W including the integrated graphics card, memory controller and VRMs.  Therefore, the CPU is best suited for laptops 15-inches or greater.

ModelIntel Core i7-4600UIntel Core i7-4960HQ
SeriesIntel Core i7Intel Core i7
CodenameHaswellHaswell
Series: Core i7 Haswell
Intel Core i7-4940MX compare3.1 - 4 GHz4 / 8 cores8 MB L3
Intel Core i7-4930MX compare3 - 3.9 GHz4 / 8 cores8 MB L3
Intel Core i7-4980HQ compare2.8 - 4 GHz4 / 8 cores6 MB L3
Intel Core i7-4910MQ compare2.9 - 3.9 GHz4 / 8 cores8 MB L3
Intel Core i7-4900MQ compare2.8 - 3.8 GHz4 / 8 cores8 MB L3
Intel Core i7-4960HQ2.6 - 3.8 GHz4 / 8 cores6 MB L3
Intel Core i7-4810MQ compare2.8 - 3.8 GHz4 / 8 cores6 MB L3
Intel Core i7-4870HQ compare2.5 - 3.7 GHz4 / 8 cores6 MB L3
Intel Core i7-4800MQ compare2.7 - 3.7 GHz4 / 8 cores6 MB L3
Intel Core i7-4950HQ compare2.4 - 3.6 GHz4 / 8 cores6 MB L3
Intel Core i7-4860HQ compare2.4 - 3.6 GHz4 / 8 cores6 MB L3
Intel Core i7-4720HQ compare2.6 - 3.6 GHz4 / 8 cores6 MB L3
Intel Core i7-4850HQ compare2.3 - 3.5 GHz4 / 8 cores6 MB L3
Intel Core i7-4710HQ compare2.5 - 3.5 GHz4 / 8 cores6 MB L3
Intel Core i7-4710MQ compare2.5 - 3.5 GHz4 / 8 cores6 MB L3
Intel Core i7-4770HQ compare2.2 - 3.4 GHz4 / 8 cores6 MB L3
Intel Core i7-4700HQ compare2.4 - 3.4 GHz4 / 8 cores6 MB L3
Intel Core i7-4700MQ compare2.4 - 3.4 GHz4 / 8 cores6 MB L3
Intel Core i7-4760HQ compare2.1 - 3.3 GHz4 / 8 cores6 MB L3
Intel Core i7-4722HQ compare2.4 - 3.4 GHz4 / 8 cores6 MB L3
Intel Core i7-4712HQ compare2.3 - 3.3 GHz4 / 8 cores6 MB L3
Intel Core i7-4712MQ compare2.3 - 3.3 GHz4 / 8 cores6 MB L3
Intel Core i7-4750HQ compare2 - 3.2 GHz4 / 8 cores6 MB L3
Intel Core i7-4702HQ compare2.2 - 3.2 GHz4 / 8 cores6 MB L3
Intel Core i7-4702MQ compare2.2 - 3.2 GHz4 / 8 cores6 MB L3
Intel Core i7-4610M compare3 - 3.7 GHz2 / 4 cores4 MB L3
Intel Core i7-4600M compare2.9 - 3.6 GHz2 / 4 cores4 MB L3
Intel Core i7-4578U compare3 - 3.5 GHz2 / 4 cores4 MB L3
Intel Core i7-4558U compare2.8 - 3.3 GHz2 / 4 cores4 MB L3
Intel Core i7-4600U « 2.1 - 3.3 GHz2 / 4 cores4 MB L3
Intel Core i7-4650U compare1.7 - 3.3 GHz2 / 4 cores4 MB L3
Intel Core i7-4510U compare2 - 3.1 GHz2 / 4 cores4 MB L3
Intel Core i7-4500U compare1.8 - 3 GHz2 / 4 cores4 MB L3
Intel Core i7-4550U compare1.5 - 3 GHz2 / 4 cores4 MB L3
Intel Core i7-4610Y compare1.7 - 2.9 GHz2 / 4 cores4 MB L3
Intel Core i7-4940MX compare3.1 - 4 GHz4 / 8 cores8 MB L3
Intel Core i7-4930MX compare3 - 3.9 GHz4 / 8 cores8 MB L3
Intel Core i7-4980HQ compare2.8 - 4 GHz4 / 8 cores6 MB L3
Intel Core i7-4910MQ compare2.9 - 3.9 GHz4 / 8 cores8 MB L3
Intel Core i7-4900MQ compare2.8 - 3.8 GHz4 / 8 cores8 MB L3
Intel Core i7-4960HQ « 2.6 - 3.8 GHz4 / 8 cores6 MB L3
Intel Core i7-4810MQ compare2.8 - 3.8 GHz4 / 8 cores6 MB L3
Intel Core i7-4870HQ compare2.5 - 3.7 GHz4 / 8 cores6 MB L3
Intel Core i7-4800MQ compare2.7 - 3.7 GHz4 / 8 cores6 MB L3
Intel Core i7-4950HQ compare2.4 - 3.6 GHz4 / 8 cores6 MB L3
Intel Core i7-4860HQ compare2.4 - 3.6 GHz4 / 8 cores6 MB L3
Intel Core i7-4720HQ compare2.6 - 3.6 GHz4 / 8 cores6 MB L3
Intel Core i7-4850HQ compare2.3 - 3.5 GHz4 / 8 cores6 MB L3
Intel Core i7-4710HQ compare2.5 - 3.5 GHz4 / 8 cores6 MB L3
Intel Core i7-4710MQ compare2.5 - 3.5 GHz4 / 8 cores6 MB L3
Intel Core i7-4770HQ compare2.2 - 3.4 GHz4 / 8 cores6 MB L3
Intel Core i7-4700HQ compare2.4 - 3.4 GHz4 / 8 cores6 MB L3
Intel Core i7-4700MQ compare2.4 - 3.4 GHz4 / 8 cores6 MB L3
Intel Core i7-4760HQ compare2.1 - 3.3 GHz4 / 8 cores6 MB L3
Intel Core i7-4722HQ compare2.4 - 3.4 GHz4 / 8 cores6 MB L3
Intel Core i7-4712HQ compare2.3 - 3.3 GHz4 / 8 cores6 MB L3
Intel Core i7-4712MQ compare2.3 - 3.3 GHz4 / 8 cores6 MB L3
Intel Core i7-4750HQ compare2 - 3.2 GHz4 / 8 cores6 MB L3
Intel Core i7-4702HQ compare2.2 - 3.2 GHz4 / 8 cores6 MB L3
Intel Core i7-4702MQ compare2.2 - 3.2 GHz4 / 8 cores6 MB L3
Intel Core i7-4610M compare3 - 3.7 GHz2 / 4 cores4 MB L3
Intel Core i7-4600M compare2.9 - 3.6 GHz2 / 4 cores4 MB L3
Intel Core i7-4578U compare3 - 3.5 GHz2 / 4 cores4 MB L3
Intel Core i7-4558U compare2.8 - 3.3 GHz2 / 4 cores4 MB L3
Intel Core i7-4600U2.1 - 3.3 GHz2 / 4 cores4 MB L3
Intel Core i7-4650U compare1.7 - 3.3 GHz2 / 4 cores4 MB L3
Intel Core i7-4510U compare2 - 3.1 GHz2 / 4 cores4 MB L3
Intel Core i7-4500U compare1.8 - 3 GHz2 / 4 cores4 MB L3
Intel Core i7-4550U compare1.5 - 3 GHz2 / 4 cores4 MB L3
Intel Core i7-4610Y compare1.7 - 2.9 GHz2 / 4 cores4 MB L3
Clock2100 - 3300 MHz2600 - 3800 MHz
L1 Cache128 KB256 KB
L2 Cache512 KB1 MB
L3 Cache4 MB6 MB
Cores / Threads2 / 44 / 8
TDP15 Watt47 Watt
Transistors1300 Million1700 Million
Technology22 nm22 nm
Die Size181 mm2260 mm2
max. Temp.100 °C100 °C
SocketFCBGA1168FCBGA1364
FeaturesHD Graphics 4400 (200 - 1100 MHz), DDR3(L)-1600 Memory Controller, HyperThreading, AVX, AVX2, Quick Sync, Virtualization, vPro, AES-NIIris Pro Graphics 5200 (200 - 1300 MHz), DDR3(L)-1600 Memory Controller, HyperThreading, AVX, AVX2, Quick Sync, Virtualization, vPro, AES-NI
iGPUIntel HD Graphics 4400 (200 - 1100 MHz)Intel HD Graphics 4600 (200 - 1300 MHz)
Architecturex86x86
$398 U.S.$657 U.S.
Announced
Manufacturerark.intel.comark.intel.com

Benchmarks

Cinebench R15 - Cinebench R15 CPU Multi 64 Bit
min: 146     avg: 238.8     median: 248 (2%)     max: 273 Points
632 Points (4%)
Cinebench R15 - Cinebench R15 CPU Single 64 Bit
100%
1 4600U +
min: 85     avg: 118.4     median: 124 (37%)     max: 129 Points
Cinebench R11.5 - Cinebench R11.5 CPU Multi 64 Bit
100%
1 4600U +
min: 1.77     avg: 2.6     median: 2.7 (3%)     max: 2.95 Points
Cinebench R11.5 - Cinebench R11.5 CPU Single 64 Bit
100%
1 4600U +
min: 1.01     avg: 1.4     median: 1.4 (35%)     max: 1.46 Points
Cinebench R10 - Cinebench R10 Rend. Single (32bit)
100%
1 4600U +
min: 3265     avg: 4527     median: 4668.5 (28%)     max: 4744 Points
Cinebench R10 - Cinebench R10 Rend. Multi (32bit)
100%
1 4600U +
min: 5576     avg: 8374     median: 8444 (6%)     max: 9345 Points
Cinebench R10 - Cinebench R10 Rend. Multi (64bit)
100%
1 4600U +
min: 7006     avg: 10839     median: 11221 (8%)     max: 12107 Points
Cinebench R10 - Cinebench R10 Rend. Single (64bit)
100%
1 4600U +
min: 4245     avg: 5914     median: 6060.5 (7%)     max: 6336 Points
wPrime 2.10 - wPrime 2.0 1024m *
100%
1 4600U +
min: 580     avg: 620     median: 614 (7%)     max: 660 s
wPrime 2.10 - wPrime 2.0 32m *
100%
1 4600U +
min: 15.9     avg: 16.9     median: 17.1 (3%)     max: 17.82 s
WinRAR - WinRAR 4.0
100%
1 4600U +
min: 2372     avg: 2498     median: 2493 (4%)     max: 2643 Points
X264 HD Benchmark 4.0 - x264 Pass 2
100%
1 4600U +
min: 14.3     avg: 15.8     median: 16.3 (6%)     max: 16.68 fps
X264 HD Benchmark 4.0 - x264 Pass 1
100%
1 4600U +
min: 77.5     avg: 90.4     median: 91.7 (21%)     max: 97.5 fps
TrueCrypt - TrueCrypt Serpent
100%
1 4600U +
min: 0.159     avg: 0.2     median: 0.2 (0%)     max: 0.16 GB/s
TrueCrypt - TrueCrypt Twofish
100%
1 4600U +
min: 0.272     avg: 0.3     median: 0.3 (5%)     max: 0.282 GB/s
TrueCrypt - TrueCrypt AES
100%
1 4600U +
min: 1.7     avg: 1.7     median: 1.7 (4%)     max: 1.8 GB/s
3DMark 06 - CPU - 3DMark 06 - CPU
100%
1 4600U +
min: 2805     avg: 3303     median: 3223 (7%)     max: 3788 Points
Super Pi mod 1.5 XS 1M - Super Pi mod 1.5 XS 1M *
100%
1 4600U +
min: 11.31     avg: 11.5     median: 11.5 (2%)     max: 12 s
Super Pi mod 1.5 XS 2M - Super Pi mod 1.5 XS 2M *
100%
1 4600U +
min: 26.07     avg: 26.4     median: 26.3 (1%)     max: 27 s
Super Pi Mod 1.5 XS 32M - Super Pi mod 1.5 XS 32M *
100%
1 4600U +
min: 596     avg: 605     median: 602 (3%)     max: 624 s
SiSoft Sandra Dhrystone (MIPS) - SiSoft Sandra Dhrystone (MIPS)
100%
1 4600U +
min: 24810     avg: 36025     median: 36025 (17%)     max: 47240 MIPS
SiSoft Sandra Whetstone (MFLOPS) - SiSoft Sandra Whetstone (MFLOPS)
100%
1 4600U +
min: 11500     avg: 24640     median: 24640 (19%)     max: 37780 MFLOPS
Windows 7 Experience Index - Win7 CPU
100%
1 4600U +
min: 5     avg: 6.1     median: 6.1 (78%)     max: 7.1 Points
3DMark Vantage - 3DM Vant. Perf. CPU no Physx
100%
1 4600U +
min: 8308     avg: 9060     median: 8679 (8%)     max: 10541 Points
3DMark 11 - 3DM11 Performance Physics
100%
1 4600U +
min: 2930     avg: 3511     median: 3423.5 (9%)     max: 4329 Points
3DMark - 3DMark Ice Storm Physics
100%
1 4600U +
min: 14184     avg: 28863     median: 30173 (25%)     max: 35733 Points
3DMark - 3DMark Cloud Gate Physics
100%
1 4600U +
min: 2156     avg: 2700     median: 2600 (7%)     max: 3215 Points
3DMark - 3DMark Fire Strike Standard Physics
100%
1 4600U +
min: 3083     avg: 4234     median: 3893 (7%)     max: 9435 Points
Geekbench 3 - Geekbench 3 32 Bit Multi-Core
100%
1 4600U +
6078 Points (11%)
Geekbench 3 - Geekbench 3 32 Bit Single-Core
100%
1 4600U +
3095 Points (60%)
Geekbench 2 - 32 Bit - Geekbench Stream
100%
1 4600U +
min: 5128     avg: 6656     median: 6656 (54%)     max: 8184 Points
Geekbench 2 - 32 Bit - Geekbench Memory
100%
1 4600U +
min: 5175     avg: 6261     median: 6260.5 (57%)     max: 7346 Points
Geekbench 2 - 32 Bit - Geekbench Floating Point
100%
1 4600U +
min: 6941     avg: 7087     median: 7086.5 (14%)     max: 7232 Points
Geekbench 2 - 32 Bit - Geekbench Integer
100%
1 4600U +
min: 6216     avg: 6290     median: 6289.5 (13%)     max: 6363 Points
Geekbench 2 - 32 Bit - Geekbench Total Score
100%
1 4600U +
min: 6162     avg: 6604     median: 6603.5 (17%)     max: 7045 Points
Sunspider - Sunspider 1.0 Total Score *
100%
1 4600U +
161.2 ms (2%)
Octane V2 - Octane V2 Total Score
100%
1 4600U +
23947 Points (22%)

Average Benchmarks Intel Core i7-4600U → 100% n=1

Average Benchmarks Intel Core i7-4960HQ → 255% n=1

- Range of benchmark values for this graphics card
- Average benchmark values for this graphics card
* Smaller numbers mean a higher performance
1 This benchmark is not used for the average calculation

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show all (including archived), 2024, 2023
v1.26
log 19. 08:14:21

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#3 did not recreate cache, as it is less than 5 days old! Created at Tue, 19 Mar 2024 05:32:10 +0100 +0.001s ... 0.001s

#4 composed specs +0.041s ... 0.043s

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#6 getting avg benchmarks for device 4559 +0.003s ... 0.046s

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#8 getting avg benchmarks for device 4554 +0.003s ... 0.084s

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#10 got avg benchmarks for devices +0s ... 0.09s

#11 min, max, avg, median took s +0.128s ... 0.218s

#12 return log +0.036s ... 0.254s

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Redaktion, 2017-09- 8 (Update: 2023-07- 1)